Congress Honors Country Music

            A new resolution has just been passed by Washington D.C. this recent week. This new resolution has nothing to do with healthcare, the war, or the economy, but rather country music. Yes, that’s right, Congress has acknowledged the major influence country music has made on American music and our country as whole, by giving it the recognition it deserves.

            Florida Rep. Cliff Steams, who proposed the resolution, states, “Country music traces its roots to the folk tradition of the British Isles and the Celts of central and western Europe. However, here in the United States, early immigrants, as well as African slaves, contributed to a new, distinct style of music that continued to develop through the 18th and 19th centuries…The history of country music is the history of our country.” (CMT) The resolution goes on to mention country music legends Willie Nelson, and Elvis Presley, as well the celebrated Grand Ole Opry and the impact these forces have made.

            It’s hard to deny these assertions when looking at some of the records country artists have broken over the years. Garth Brooks, having sold over 128,000,000 albums, is the top selling solo artist in United States history. (Library of Congress) Taylor Swift is breaking records as we speak, having just earned top honors as the artist with the longest-charting album on Billboard’s Top 200 charts. (Billboard)

            We at Lost Gold Records are very excited about this new declaration, having a great number of country music artists in our catalogue. From big names like Dolly Parton, to rising stars like Todd Taylor, who is currently making his mark in country music today. 

Kaitlin Southron

November 2009